GUTTER MALAYSIA

'BN acting like a person told by doctor of impending death'
(Harakah Daily) - As police stepped up roadblocks at major roads
leading to the capital late this evening, causing miles of traffic
congestion, PAS has called on prime minister Najib Razak not to
further burden the force.

Najib had earlier said that the government would leave it to the
police to determine how to handle the Bersih rally, contradicting an
earlier statement that he would give his cooperation to Bersih if its
rally was held in a stadium. The police have however so far rejected
all attempts to give a permit.

“Why must the burden be put on the police, when Najib should issue a
clear directive to allow the rally proceed in the stadium.

Lim had also questioned Najib's decision to leave the country on the
day of the rally.

“He should not do so but should be in the country to ensure that the
Bersih 2.0 stadium rally on July 9 as agreed upon as a result of the
wise and just intervention of the Yang di Pertuan Agong and with his
concurrence is held in a smooth, peaceful and orderly manner,” he
added.

'Lives affected even before rally'

Tuan Ibrahim meanwhile said it was a telling sign of the weakness in
the government's argument that street rallies would disrupt businesses
and cause traffic chaos, pointing out that the police had already
caused such a situation even before the rally.

"So with all the road closures and the restrictions into Kuala Lumpur,
will they not affect traders?” he asked.

Giving an analogy, Tuan Ibrahim said the government's reaction in the
run-up to the rally was like a person who has been informed by the
doctor that he only has few months to live.

“The people are laughing at UMNO-Barisan Nasional’s reaction. Their
panicky response is as if they (UMNO-BN) can be destroyed by a clean
and fair election,” he said.

Major roads into KL sealed off, people told not to attend rallies

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have sealed off all major roads leading to the heart of the capital, telling people to stay away from any rally today.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the police had acted fairly in not issuing any permit to hold rallies.

The Sultan of Selangor said mosques and surau should not be used as a meeting place by those who come from other places to join in the street demonstrations.

The Ruler told his subjects to also stay away from street protests, saying this would harm the unity of the people.

However, Bersih 2.0, Umno Youth and Perkasa look set to press ahead with their plans.

Bersih 2.0 insisted that its supporters will gather at Stadium Merdeka while Umno Youth under its Patriot umbrella will march at Jalan Bukit Bintang. Perkasa has told its members to “stroll” around Tasik Titiwangsa.

“Since July 3, the police have been prepared and will take stern action against those who are still adamant in having it in the city,” he said.

Hishammuddin also advised anyone planning to gather illegally in the city today to stay away, or be prepared to face the law.

“Public safety and order has been the main concern of both the ministry and the police since day one.

“I urge those who wish to join any illegal march tomorrow in the city to reconsider as it would disrupt peace and risk lives,” he said at a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.

He also expressed fear that the rallies would be used as a platform for certain groups to spread violence and chaos.

“The discovery of weapons and explosives is very worrying and that is the last thing we want,” he said.

He added that the police had been fair in their treatment of all the parties involved by denying permit applications within the city by Bersih 2.0, Umno Youth and Perkasa.

Hishammuddin also advised the public not to be influenced by speculation and rumours spread through SMS and the Internet regarding the rallies.

“They can easily get the latest information from the police hotlines at 03-2146 0524 and 03-2146 0525,” he said.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar also urged the organisers of the proposed rally to stay away.

“Despite numerous discussions and warnings, we have reports that they are planning to go ahead with their plans.

“We will do whatever within the confines of the law to preserve peace and order,” he said in Bukit Aman yesterday.

People, the choice is yours
July 8, 2011

Tomorrow is the big walk. It is open to all Malaysians who believe in upholding democracy. Democracy is a big word but it has a simple meaning: it is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is the people who are the masters of the country. The destiny of the country lies in their hands. Only they can decide which way they want the land of their birth to move. They do this by casting their votes at the appointed time. They speak through the ballot box. They choose representatives of good character to sit in Parliament to champion their interests. But in the course of time, things can go wrong. Like what is happening now. The government is not on the side of the people wanting to exercise their right to a peaceful assembly for a cause that strenghtens, and not wrecks, public institutions.

When thousands of ordinary men and women show up for the “Walk for Democracy” tomorrow, be it on the streets or in a stadium, they are not waging war against the government. They have no reason to do so. They are not rebels pouring out of the jungles or coming down from the mountains to capture the capital and set up another government. They are just plain ordinary citizens who wish to support a non-governmental organisation fighting for clean and fair elections. What is wrong with that? But what is wrong with the government? Why is the state acting irrationally? Why does it see red in yellow? Suddenly everything has turned ugly. The government we elected to represent us has become our enemy.

Now it is state power versus the will of the people. The state says the rally is illegal. Bersih is illegal. Bersih T-shirt is also illegal. Everything connected with the movement is unlawful. Even the meeting at the palace between the King and Bersih does not appear to be legal. The state is doing everything in its power to make the people hate Bersih – and love the government. It is plain for all to see that the people are not taking the bait. Acting harsh and repressive is clearly not going to win the government any brownie points. Malaysians love peace but at the same time they do not like to be bullied into submission. Times have changed. People can think for themselves and separate truth from lies. In the Bersih story the government does not come out smelling sweet, innocent, clean.

The show will go on tomorrow and history is in the making. Do you want to take a stroll? It is up to you, the people, to decide the course of history. The government would prefer you not to go, but you do not need to heed its advice. Then again you can be arrested for wearing a yellow Bersih T-shirt or simply anything yellow. You can be roughed up, beaten, tear-gassed at a hint of trouble. The walk may turn into a rout. The risks are there. You are defenceless citizens up against the might of the state. The crackle of a gunfire may ring out but the government must know the sound will reverberate all over the world. People, the choice is yours.

Longer wait for Bersih detainees
Tashny Sukumaran

Bersih supporters who were arrested more than a week ago are still waiting to be charged.

KUALA LUMPUR: Several Bersih supporters, who were arrested on June 29 are still waiting to be charged in court.

According to their lawyer, Honey Tan, her clients were being given the runaround by police.

A frustrated Tan said police told them they would have to wait a little longer before their charge would be read in the Sessions Court or the Magistrate’s Court.

They are from the NGO, Empower, which is also where Bersih 2.0 coalition for fair and free elections is based.

“On July 6 everyone had to go back to the police department as they had been released on police bail.

“They were told the charge would be read on July 7, but it was pushed to today.

“Today they told us it was being delayed to a later date, which is to be decided.

“The only reason given was “instructions from above”.

“It’s very frustrating and unfair. If you say you have evidence to charge, do it!” Tan said.

Meanwhile another two supporters – Michael Tamil and Nazri Ahmad Ismail – who were arrested on June 29, for purportedly being in possession of Bersih propaganda are also waiting.

Tamil, an MBSJ councillor, and Nazri were shooed away this morning despite being given this date.

“The investigating officer, Inspector Rosdi, said they are waiting for instructions from the AG’s chambers,” said their legal counsel, Syahredzan Johan.

Bersih is not a society

The six Empower activists were arrested under Section 48 (1) and 47 of the Societies Act.

Section 48(1) allows for detention of those working on behalf of an illegal society while Section 47 bars people from publishing propaganda promoting an illegal society.

Bersih coalition, was declared illegal by Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on June 23.

The Registrar of Society further endorsed his view.

But Bersih, puzzled at the reference, has denied that it is illegal, saying it is a coalition of 62 NGOs and not an society or body.

Najib forgets that many of the people who are disgusted with his rule are the young

Why is Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak reminiscing about his father, Tun Abdul Razak? Is it because he wants to remind us of the past in the years after Merdeka or is he savouring the moments before Malaysia undergoes its most defining moment in her history since Independence?

Najib should be aware that very few of the older generation care for the way he (Najib) has led Umno/BN and that few of the things most of us valued since Merdeka, like justice, equality and respect, have been upheld by BN.

Najib said of his father, “Among the things I learned from him was on how to be patient and not to be too power-crazy.

“My father told me that he was afraid of absolute power. He was willing to make way for others to lead Umno after Datuk Onn Jaafar resigned as Umno president as he felt that he was not ready to be the number one in the party at that time.

“I don’t think such values are practised now as there are many power-crazy people who do not mind undercutting others, just to stay above the rest.”

Najib must be living in cloud cuckoo land. All he does has been about remaining in power. What does he call the Perak debacle when he allegedly paid various people, including VVIPs to do his bidding?

There are the other states too; the civil service appointment in Selangor was supposed to topple the state goverment, the Sarawak state elections and more.

Today, Najib talked about how his father taught him patience. But how many of the old are listening? Many of those who still remember his father, Abdul Razak do not have fond memories of his involvement and careful manouevering of the May 13 incident.

They may praise Abdul Razak for Felda, but it is his son, Najib, who has reduced this organization to a pitiful version of this once mighty outfit.

Saturday July 9 will be Malaysia’s defining moment. By and large, we are a peaceful nation and we do not spill over onto the streets just because we are displeased with something.

If anything, we are very reticent about revealing our true feelings and would rather take the ‘tidak-apa, sabar lah’ attitude, rather than talk rationally and discuss with those who have courted our displeasure.

Perhaps this is our failing – the failure to properly engage with others around us. Is this because of our culture? Or our upbringing? Or is it the Asian values which we are proud of and which we practise in our daily lives which are the complete opposite of those ‘westerners’ whom we feel hold nothing back? Why is it that when we protect our ‘face’, we are prepared to be trampled on or trample on others?

Malaysians versus political thieves

Malaysia does not have her own Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian student who had to peddle fruit and vegetables in the streets in order to feed his family. Boauzizi died after his desperate act of self-immolation and became a hero, not just in Tunisia but also across north Africa and the middle east.

No we do not wish anyone to be harmed or to harm others or for property to be damaged or that people are inconvenienced.

What we do demand is for acknowledgement and the right to be heard. As individuals, we may not achieve much but at least the authorities will realize that people are not prepared to keep silent or tolerate injustices or human rights abuses any longer.

As a collective, we realize that our requests might be heard. That is where Bersih comes in. But our leaders are too vain or too arrogant to realize this. Perhaps that is why they have been able to continue with their ways at our expense.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has compared the Bersih march to a clash between Malays and non-Malays. He is wrong.

It is a clash between Malaysians and political thieves like himself who have stolen our rights and who have used race and religion to divide us.

Prime Minister Najib, in the remaining hours before he departs for the United Kingdom, is panic stricken and an ineffective leader.

His deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin has passed the buck to the police to deal with the demonstration on 9th July. What sort of a leader is that?

He said, “I leave it to the IGP (inspector-general of police) to decide what are the appropriate actions that should be taken, I don’t want to assume.”

After days of arrests and intimidation, is this the Malaysian cabinet in action? One flees the country, one absolves himself of responsibility whilst the Home Minister, Hishammuddin Hussein just bans everything in his sight.

After dragging royalty into the political limelight, Najib then retracted on earlier promises about holding the rally in a stadium or meeting with Bersih and he wonders why the people are angry.

Earlier, Najib had told the crowds at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Bandar Tun Abdul Razak that lessons should be learnt in history so that mistakes will not be repeated. It appears that history is not one of Najib’s strong subjects.

In the final hours as Malaysia faces its most crucial upheaval since Merdeka, the Umno/BN government has again failed its people by refusing to engage with the rakyat.

Enough is enough

Najib forgets that many of the people who are disgusted with his rule are the young. How many of our graduates are jobless? How many are denied scholarships?

How many of the rich and well-connected are given study loans, scholarships and places at university? How many Malays does he think he can give civil servant jobs to?

He must know about the endemic corruption, the rising prices, the waste of taxpayers’ money. Does he care?

We loathe politicians who have made our lives a misery whilst they grow rich and abuse their power, at our expense.

How many of us would have predicted the democracy march of July 9? We have long been seen as a stable country, a moderate Muslim state whose people were seemingly happy with the way they are ruled.

How many foreigners who pass through realise that it is a land of unemployment, corruption, repression, arrests without detention and divisions created by race and religion?

Tomorrow, Malaysians will wake up to a better future and tell each other, that ‘enough is enough’.

Kuala Lumpur under siege!
Kuala Lumpur is under siege. It is under siege by the police. We are not facing any external threat neither are we under any attack. But we are under siege by our own police.

What is happening in KL doesn’t make sense. What is happening in KL is troubling. A situation of emergency is being created wantonly. A large area is coming under strict police control.

We are witnessing the greatest mobilisation of the police force in our entire history. It is a complete waste of resources and totally unnecessary. The police should be concentrating their efforts in bringing criminals to book instead of wasting their time in stopping a peaceful gathering.

Ninety-one Malaysians have been barred from entering the city centre under threat of arrest. A court order has been obtained to enforce this ruling. Among the 91 are two Malaysians who have been detained on 2 July 2011 under the Emergency (Public Order and Prevention of Crime) Ordinance 1969. They are still under detention. What makes the police think that somehow or other they will escape from their security cell in Bukit Aman and make their way to the Merdeka Stadium?

This restriction order is absolutely absurd. What about those who live in KL? Are they required to shift
their residence outside KL and relocate themselves elsewhere? What about those who work in KL? Are they forced to be absent from their duty? This court order doesn’t make any sense at all. In fact, it is senseless!

All this seems unnecessary. All that Malaysians want to do is to walk peacefully to register their protest against the Election Commission for conducting elections that are seen as “not free and fair.” These very unfair elections have been going on for decades. We have now reached a boiling point when it is not possible to tolerate this any longer. So Malaysians decided to march on 9 July 2011.

But out of deference to the Yang diPertuan Agong, the Bersih Steering Committee willingly agreed to the the Prime Minister’s offer to allow Bersih to use a stadium in KL. But the PM did a somersault and said it was up to the police to decide if the Bersih would be issued a permit to hold the gathering.

Bersih had come down from their earlier uncompromising stand to have an open rally and decided that they would now gather at the Merdeka Stadium. But the police and others are putting all sorts of unnecessary obstacles. The Merdeka Stadium is not available on flimsy grounds. The police refuse to grant a permit for this peaceful gathering and want it to be held elsewhere, possibly in one of the Pakatan-controlled states. When arrangements have been made for the rally to be held in KL, now to tell them to go elsewhere is only making Malaysians angry and frustrated.

To stop this peaceful, democratic rally – guaranteed as a right under the Federal Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – is to ignore the rule of law and tarnish our reputation as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. When we occupy this exalted position on the Council, we should be setting examples for the rest of the world instead of becoming the laughing-stock of the world.

This gathering would not threaten the security of the country or in any way pose a risk to public order.
What the police should do is to restrain Pekasa and Umno Youth from marching on the same day. These are the trouble-makers who may create unrest and disorder tomorrow.

Even at this last minute, it is not too late to allow Bersih to gather at Medeka Stadium. This is one positive way to defuse this volatile situation. Let good sense prevail.

Long-overdue Chinese anger erupts: Why they must vote anyone but the BN Written by Wong Choon Mei, Malaysia Chronicle

Rabble-rouser Ibrahim Ali has gone into overdrive threatening the Chinese with another May 13 attack because he and his backers do not want the Bersih Rally to proceed on 9th July. That the Najib administration has not censured him is a sign that his words and deeds are condoned by the government.

What is more amazing to the Chinese community is that Ibrahim has made it seem as if they are the ones to be blamed for the anti-election fraud Bersih 2.0 rally. Yet, despite the open and unmistakable threat of bloodshed, Prime Minister Najib Razak has continued to keep mum, choosing to focus on the Langkawi International Dialogue for third world nations.

On Sunday, June 19, 2011, Ibrahim Ali had burned effigies of Ambiga Sreenevasan, the Bersih chairman and former president of the Bar Council. He also warned the Chinese to "stock up" on food and threatened to reprise the May 13, 1969 racial riots where scores of Chinese homes were burnt to ground and dozens killed by what appeared to be Malay extremist groups.

Power grab behind the 'racial' riots

Malayisa's dubious history books paint a different version of racial strife and misunderstanding.

But most of the older Chinese will remember that it was the UMNO faction led by Abdul Razak Hussein, Najib's father, who had plotted the May 13 incident to topple first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku was forced to resign and Abdul Razak became the second prime minister of Malaysia. Perhaps it is in the genes, but soon after Najib ousted Abdullah Badawi for the UMNO presidency, he pulled a similar coup d'etat in Perak, forcibly toppling the then fledgling Pakatan Rakyat state government headed by Nizar Jamaluddin.

The new generation of Chinese may not know it but the older Chinese who were living in Kuala Lumpur at that time, especially in the Tiong Nam area, remember well the that fateful day and the events that led to it. To them, the horrifying events are etched into their minds as if the killings had happened only yesterday.

Even then - as now - those events were blamed on the victory parade held by the Opposition after the polls and the so-called extra boisterous celebration by the Chinese who formed the majority of Opposition supporters.

The Malays were supposedly incensed as they felt they were losing their hold on power to these Chinese 'immigrants'. Yet in other parts of country, even in PAS-led and Malay-predominant Kelantan, there was peace. It was the UMNO Menteri Besar of Selangor at that time, Idris Harun, who was one of the prime movers of the rioting and he cleverly lit the fuse in Kampung Baru, the Malay heartland within the capital city.

Chinese elders living in that area will tell of horrifying incidents when Malay youths armed with parangs rushed at them as if running amok, and then slashing and killing the Chinese who were streaming out from the Federal Cinema in Jalan Chow Kit near the Tiong Nam settlement.

Cars and homes were torched and many Chinese who left their homes that day did not return. Some were later found in the hospitals and some just bled to death on the streets. Many more were missing and still unaccounted for until today. The number of casualties have never really been revealed by the government and what is officially available theatrically scaled down.

News of Malay youths on a bloody rampage quickly spread to Air Panas in Setapak, which was also a Chinese New Village. Incensed, the Chinese youths sprang into action by chopping down trees to form a blockade. Confusion reigned as no one knew what had happened and why. The cry that snaked around Air Panas then was that 'the Malays are killing the Chinese, they are are coming for us now'. Luckily, nothing untoward happened there or in the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

And so the suppression began

So it was, that emergency and curfew was declared. Tunku appeared on black-and-white TV, a broken shell of a man and announced his resignation. For his contribution to the nation, he was given a pension and a colonial-style bungalow in Kenny Hills.

Najib's father then stepped in. He initiated the Dasar Ekonomi Baru or New Economic Policy in 1971, an affirmative action plan to eradicate poverty.

Architects of the plan, including retired senior civil servant Ramon Navaratnam, have said the NEP never specifically mentioned the Malays,but being the largest group amongst the poverty-stricken, they naturally received the most aid.

The NEP was most abused and used as a tool for corruption during the time of 4th prime minister Mahathir Mohamd.

Meanwhile, due to immediate clampdowns on speech and the threat of the Sedition Act, order was restored in the aftrmath of the May 13 killings. Not only was the communications infrastructure weak then, the people were mostly uneducated still. Therefore, order of a false sort returned. But the problem was never solved.

Today, racial polarization is at the lowest ebb. Communications infrastructure is a million-folds improved and the Chinese lead in the field of education - not as teachers but as students and top-scorers. If those who plotted May 13, 1969 tried to reprise that in 2011, they would be in for a major surprise.

And this what Ibrahim Ali is now getting. Lots of brckbats, but it is not enough.

Anger erupts, closure for an unjustified spate of murders demanded.

Chinese rage has erupted. The community wants its pound of flesh, with interest backdated from May 13, 1969. A fairly humble race, mostly quiet and usually engrossed with their extended family lifestyles and chores, the Chinese don't forget easily. Their famous flair for math also means they keep tabs pretty well too.

So foolish Ibrahim Ali was the perfect storm. He unleashed a silent fury that will never ever go away until an apology is made, again with backdated interest from May 13, 1969. Malaysian Chinese want closure for May 13 and that can only come when justice is finally delivered to those murdered on the streets of Kuala Lumpur that fateful day.

Even Japan, so proud a nation that they would prefer to commit hara- kiri than than to face shame, has apologised for their war crimes especially to Korea and China. How is that a person in the shape and form of Ibrahim Ali can think he can pull off in today's age and world a reprisal of what was basically a mini-ethnic cleansing deliberately staged by ruthless and evil-minded politicians?

The blame certainly goes to Najib, the son of the father of May 13. Last year, Najib rang warning bells when he threatened "crushed bodies", "lost lives" and "ethnic cleansing" at an UMNO assembly.

Whether Najib was trying to rally Malay support for UMNO is his business. Whether he was right or wrong is for voters to tell him, in their own way and time.

But for the Malaysian Chinese, life will never be the same again after Sunday, June 19, 2011, because until they right the wrong of May 13, another dolt like Ibrahim Ali will come along and make nonsense of all their learning, their culture, precious time and hard work moulding Malaysia into what it is today. Malaysia is their country and no one can take it away from them. Let Ibrahim Ali try!

Malaysian Chinese must vote anyone but BN

What the Chinese must remember is that Ibrahim Ali is a nobody. It is those who back him who are the trouble - not just for the whole of Malaysia but specifically for the Malaysian Chinese. And it is time for the Malaysian Chinese to stand up to them. And who are they, these faceless and nameless cowards who instigate murder so that they can continue to plunder and rape the country?

Let us call a spade a spade. The racists causing the greatest trouble to the Chinese in Malaysia are the ruling elite in UMNO.

Now that the bogeyman has been unveiled, so to speak, the Malaysian Chinese must do what they have to do. Use their brains, use new technology, form think-tanks, use all their might to resist and defeat this class of class-less leaders in UMNO, who are corrupting and contaminating not only their own party but the rest of the nation.

Declare war on the UMNO elite. Vote any party except the BN.

Make the UMNO elite powerless until their own grassroots reject them and kick them out. Remember UMNO has 3 million members, the majority of whom are very decent folk who have also been duped by their top leaders.

In fact, it is the ordinary Malay folk who stand to lose the most from the economic banruptcy that is threatening the country.

It is a strange twist of fate indeed. It is left to the Chinese, who have never been much interested in politics, to have to take the lead now.

Only then can Malaysians - Malays, Indians, Chinese, KDM and all others - finally get down to living a decent life without fear of being accused of the most nonsensical rubbish by people who wield far too much power - dangerous people without reason or any sense of justice.

The DAP rebuked the government today for refusing to punish Datuk Ibrahim Ali over his crusade threat against Christians, declaring this as proof that Umno backs the leader’s controversial Malay rights group Perkasa.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng described Perkasa as Umno’s “alter ego” while his deputy Datuk Ngeh Koo Ham said both parties were playing a game of “good cop, bad cop” to woo Malay support.

“We have always believed that Ibrahim Ali is working hand in hand with Umno. Umno is using Perkasa to stir up Malay fear to force unity and make them support Barisan Nasional (BN).

“They are trying to use this common enemy syndrome and BN hopes to use Perkasa to actually send the message that Umno has been trying to send all this while,” said Ngeh.

He also accused Ibrahim of being a bad Muslim for professing himself as a protector of Islam but at the same time inciting unrest by calling for violence against the Christians.

He charged that Ibrahim’s main agenda was to cause fear among the Muslims and fabricate a struggle between the races in order to emerge as a “hero of Islam”.

“Religion should remain pure but far too often politicians use it for their personal agenda. In my opinion, he is not practising Islam at all... by making false accusations, inciting hatred, he is not a good Muslim,” he said.

The DAP leaders also agreed that the government’s failure to punish Ibrahim for his threat, which they said was a form of “criminal intimidation”, was clearly a case of double standards by the administration.

As an example, DAP national organising secretary Teresa Kok pointed out to The Malaysian Insider that an investigation had immediately been called when an article alleging a conspiracy by the Christians to usurp Islam was published in Malay daily Utusan Malaysia.

“Why, when Utusan published a blogger’s article talking about rumours that Christians want to change the religion of the federation, which is not at all the case, the cops came out to say that they were investigating it. And so many people were called up.

“What about this one? Is this not equally as inflammatory?” she said when contacted.

Kok added that all eyes would be on the government now to see if any action would be taken against Ibrahim.

Lim said the statement by Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein yesterday in explaining the issue was unsatisfactory and only further confirms Umno’s backing of Perkasa.

When asked for his remarks yesterday, Hishammuddin appeared to brush off concerns, saying Ibrahim does not represent the sentiments of all Malays.

“I don’t think Ibrahim Ali represents all the Malays or all the Muslims. Same as Osama bin Laden, he doesn’t represent all the Muslims.

“There are extremists, I’m not saying Ibrahim Ali is an extremist, please don’t quote me wrongly but I’m saying that there are different levels of understanding so let the public decide who they want to represent (them),” he said, adding that there are extremists in the Chinese community as well.

“This is a weak excuse by Umno because if action is only taken based on the strength of your representation not the nature and ill-intent of your violence, why then act against terrorists because they also do not represent all the Malays?

“This latest justification by Hishamuddin on why no action is taken against Ibrahim only confirms that Perkasa is Umno’s alter ego,” said Lim.

He pointed out that when Ibrahim launched his crusade threat against Christians on Saturday during the ceramah organised by the Komunity 1 Malaysia group in Kampung Changkat in Gombak here, several Umno leaders were present — Gombak Umno chief Abdul Rahman Kamaruddin, his deputy Abdul Aziz Jantan and division information chief Ismail Ahman.

In his speech, Ibrahim had called for a crusade or holy war against the Christians if the community proceeds with its agenda to usurp Islam.

“Please record my words — if there is any party in Penang, especially the Christian priests who are being backed by the Penang DAP, should continue with their agenda which we already know, I would like to offer that if they want to hold a crusade, we can,” he had said.

Sodomy II: KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court on Monday ordered Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to defend himself against a charge of sodomising his former personal assistant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan three years ago.

High Court judge Justice Mohd Zabidin Mohd Diah determined that the prosecution had established a prima facie case and the 63-year-old PKR adviser must enter his defence in a continuation of his trial fixed from June 6 to June 30.

“The accused is charged with carnal intercourse against order of nature.

“The defence tried to paint Saiful as a witness who was not credible and that he was not a good Muslim. With great respect to defence, these arguments are irrelevant.

“Saiful appeared to be a truthful witness and his evidence reliable, with the minute details given in his account.

“Therefore, the next question is whether there is evidence to corroborate Saiful's statements.

“The three doctors who testified confirmed that there was penile penetration.

“As for contamination of DNA evidence, all samples taken were immediately sealed. I find the possibility of contamination of samples to be remote.

“Based on all the above reasons, the prosecution has made a prima facie case against the accused. The defence is called,” he said.

A total of 27 prosecution witnesses were called to take the stand during 59 days of hearing.

On Aug 7, 2008, Anwar pleaded not guilty to performing carnal intercourse against the order of nature on complainant Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan at a condominium unit in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

The alleged offence took place between 3.01pm and 4.30pm on June 26, 2008.

He is charged under Section 377B of the Penal Code and if convicted, could be sentenced to up to 20 years' jail and whipped.

Anwar remained composed after he heard the ruling on Monday. He smiled as he greeted supporters.

The lawyers then entered chambers.

Supporters said they were not surprised by the ruling as it was widely expected.

Ibrahim Ali is not the bogeyman but a real threat — Haris IbrahimMay 16, 2011MAY 16 — The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) is sickened by the racist and anti-Christian rants of Ibrahim Ali, the president of Perkasa.

We are equally sickened by the tepid response from the home minister and the rest of the BN government to his incessant and increasingly rabid provocations.

Most recently, Ibrahim has called for a crusade against Christians. He has said that he is ready to fight, he is prepared to be detained under the Internal Security Act, he is willing to answer to a higher power if he is wrong.

His words clearly indicate that there is nothing holding him back from initiating an attack against Christians or those parties he suspects are backing the unsubstantiated “Christian conspiracy.” This makes him a dangerous threat to Malaysia’s peace, stability and security.

Therefore, it is alarming to note that there has been no action taken against Ibrahim. Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein has merely said that Ibrahim does not speak for all Malays. He expressly denied that Ibrahim is not an extremist, but said that there were extremists in the Chinese community.

Is the home minister confirming that his ministry practises double standards when it comes to national security?

The home minister must realise that by allowing Ibrahim to continue his irrational but dangerous pro-Malay agenda, he is driving away investors and capital from Malaysia.

Already Talent Corp has had to issue a statement urging overseas Malaysians to ignore the heightening race rhetoric emanating from the country.

The MCLM has time and again called on the home minister and the BN government to act firmly and decisively against Ibrahim and Perkasa.

They should not allow these extremists to shape the public discourse on race relations in Malaysia because that can only end in disaster and bloodshed.

If the home minister cannot or will not take steps to protect the peace and harmony desired by all rational Malaysians, we will take steps to elect a government that will.

* Haris Ibrahim is the MCLM president.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication. The Malaysian Insider does not endorse the view unless specified.

Yusri Mohamad, a product of the International Islamic University, ABIM and Pembela, and onetime personal aid to PKR President Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, claims that Islam is under attack. And should we be surprised when Muslims make a mockery of Islam? Anyway, this “Islam under attack” is all in the narrow minds of Muslims.

THE CORRIDORS OF POWER

Raja Petra Kamarudin

Islam's position under siege in M'sia, warns Pembela

(Malaysiakini) - The Coalition of Muslim Organisations (Pembela) has claimed that the position of Islam in Malaysia is under siege.

Speaking to reporters today, spokesperson Yusri Mohamad said this is particularly in relation to recent developments in Islam-Christian affairs.

Specifically, he cited the designation of a non-Muslim affairs exco in Penang and the 'pseudo-appointment' of Christian Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Idris Jala to handle issues pertaining the Malay-language Bible as threatening Islam's position as the official religion.

He claimed there is no provision in the federal constitution for any official non-Muslim affairs body, and that making Idris the go-to minister for Christian affairs is thus unconstitutional.

"There is a (threat). These sorts of threats come in seasons but now have become more serious and are putting a lot of pressure on the way we deal with issues pertaining to Islam,” he said.

"Islam is the official religion and is a pillar of our nation, but attempts are being made to make its position equal to other religions.

"Followers of other religions are portrayed as marginalised and oppressed... Islam and Muslims are dressed in an ugly mask and is made to seem guilty so that they give in (to demands)."

The fact that Idris was appointed to handle the Al Kitab issue was also wrong, he said, since Idris cannot be said to be non-partisan because he is Christian.

"He says he is non-partisan politically but this is a religious issue, and he is partisan. As we understand it, the (10-point proposal) was produced without consultation with the Fatwa Council, religious scholars and Muslim NGOs," he said.

Instead, he said the matter should have been handled by two ministers in the Prime Minister's Department - Jamil Khir Baharom who is in charge of Islamic affairs, and Koh Tsu Koon who is in charge of national harmony.

"We feel that the government can act within their powers...but Christian groups are now using terms like 'deface' and 'desecration' which is pushing the issue ... out of hand," he said.

As such, Pembela, a coalition of about 80 NGOs, will be hosting a conference on Saturday to discuss the issue of the sovereignty of Islam in Malaysia.

Themed 'Islam under siege: What will we do?', the event will be open to all Muslim NGOs and will feature a forum on the topic.

Among the topics to be discussed are the Al Kitab, conversions to Islam, religious freedom and the way such matters are handled by the government.

"We hope to then take the outcome of our discussion to the cabinet, prime minister, Rulers Council, political parties and mufti," he said.

Pembela not 'extremist'

Commenting on a police report recently lodged by a Christian against Pembela, Yusri said said the coalition is not an extremist group as perceived.

"We feel that the police report was a way to blow up the issue. Pembela has been around for a while and anyone who does a background check will find that we are not an extremist group," he said.

Pembela has never officially said it is willing to 'shed blood against Christians', as stated in the police report, he said.

"But perhaps during the peaceful demonstrations there were harsh words said, which is normal in a demonstration. You can't expect us to berbalas pantun.

"It is wrong to say that our movement is a threat to our non-Muslim friends," he said.

He added that police had contacted Pembela a week after the report to ask for recordings and materials distributed during the demonstration in March to assist in their investigation.

We are still waiting for someone (your details will be strictly confidential and you will remain anonymous) to send in the full 22-minute sex video to us allegedly showing Malaysia's opposition politician Anwar Ibrahim and and a foreign prostitute. We want the full video but for now we have the leaked teaser here:

So that is the teaser... It is just a short footage of the original 22-minute video. At about 7:00 pm local time yesterday, an anonymous Youtube uploader by the sceenname of "thepowercam" from Thailand uploaded a 1:47 minutes duration clip of hidden camera video purportedly showing Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim about to have sex with a prostitute. However the video as already been removed for violating Youtube's policy on nudity or sexual content.

The video clip showed three individuals including one who resembled Anwar Ibrahim, another man and a female believed to be a Chinese prostitute in a hotel room. At the end of the leaked clip the othe man left the room and the woman was seen in towel before the man who look like the opposition leader hug her.

The uploaded video had a white strip at the bottom with Thai script written on it. The strip was not on the version that first surfaced and originally shown to reporters two weeks ago at Carcosa Seri Negara. Businessman Datuk Shazryl Eskay, one of the three men who claimed to be the mysterious "Datuk T" that exposed the video, told epoters that they had not released the video to anyone and that the only copy remained with the police. "I don’t know anything about this," he said, before stating that he would need to see the clip before commenting further.

On Friday, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Ismail Omar said the sex video clip allegedly involving an opposition politician is genuine.Opposition Leader Anwar has denied he is the man in the video and accused Umno of a politically motivated "scurrilous attack" on him. Some say the involvement of former Umno Youth chief Tan Sri Abdul Rahim Thamby Chik and Perkasa treasurer-general Datuk Shuib Lazim has lent credence to the claim as Umno sought to distance itself from the video.

The clip has surfaced on the Internet just two days after police said the video they received was not doctored. However the video clip duration is only one minute and 47 second compared to the original video clip which was 22 minutes as claimed by "Datuk T" and the journalist who were invited to the private viewing. The full sex video, said to be of the opposition politician and a woman suspected to be a prostitute, was shown privately to selected journalists on February 21 at Carcosa Sri Negara. On the same day, Anwar Ibrahim in a press conference denied that he was the man in the video. He lodged a police report two days after the video viewing.

Gan voiced concern over Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakop’s recent call for party members to support Utusan Malaysia, saying that it would only encourage the Malay daily to further its “ethno-centric” agenda.

“I am deeply saddened to learn that Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakop has called on Umno members to openly support Utusan Malaysia because the daily purportedly defends Malay rights.

“Of late, Utusan Malaysia appears to be trying to rewrite the fundamental tenets of what responsible reporting entails ... It crossed the line with its coverage of the “Christian State” issue recently, earning a reprimand from the Home Ministry, after causing unnecessary alarm and anxiety among the different races in the country,” said the MCA leader in reference to the daily’s claims of an unsubstantiated plot to install a Christian prime minister.

Gan warned that Ismail’s open endorsement of Utusan would only damage the newspaper’s credibility and reaffirm the belief that it is nothing but a media tool of Umno.

Utusan Malaysia, in an article entitled “Kristian Agam Rasmi?” (Christianity the official religion?) claimed that DAP leaders and Christian priests were conspiring to take over Putrajaya, abolish Islam as the religion of the federation and install a Christian prime minister.

The Home Ministry eventually only slapped Utusan Malaysia with a warning letter for publishing the unsubstantiated report.

Perkasa president Datuk Ibrahim Ali waded into the controversy last Saturday night when he threatened Christians nationwide that he would wage a crusade or holy war should they proceed with their alleged agenda to usurp Islam.

Previously, Utusan Malaysia called on its owners Umno to spearhead a 1 Melayu, 1 Bumi movement involving all Malay parties, claiming that the DAP is intent on toppling the country’s Malay leadership.

Utusan Malaysia has also told Barisan Nasional (BN) to ignore the Chinese community for not supporting the ruling coalition during last month’s Sarawak state election.

In a desperate attempt to regain his popularity, Anwar is seen here calling on Najib for a public debate. We doubt Najib will fall for this trap, and even he wanted to, he is going to give this a very low priority given his busy schedule, and with the coming election on his Agenda.

At last, someone has the conscience and righteousness to come up and speak the truth about what is behind UMNO and its terrorist branch called UMNO Youth.UMNO-owned mouthpiece seeks to muzzle truth-teller

Utusan Malaysia, the flagship Malay-language newspaper of the United Malays National Organisation is seeking to fire Hata Wahari, one of its leading journalists, for defending the independence of the press and calling for moderation in reporting on Malaysia's tense race relations.

Hata, a 16-year veteran reporter with Utusan who was elected president of the country's National Union of Journalists in September, is expected to face a disciplinary hearing on Jan. 17 into charges that he tarnished the newspaper's image with statements he made calling for press freedom that he issued to independent media between Sept. 21 and Oct. 14 of last year.

The country's political parties own all of Malaysia's major dailies and television stations, in Malay, English, Chinese or Hindi. Opposition parties also own their own publications. The Internet largely supplies the country's only independent journalism, a fact that appears to account for fast-growing online readership.

"I just issued a press statement asking the editors to please go back to our real function, to submit unbiased information to the public," Hata said in a telephone interview. “At the moment, Utusan is doing propaganda for the government. They have raised up racial issues, so that is why they are losing the trust of most of the community in Malaysia. Everybody, even the common public, feels the same way.

"We have to go back to our original mission, not act as a propaganda tool for the government," he told Asia Sentinel. “That is why I issued that statement. I feel I have the support of all of my friends, from the political parties and from other NGOs."He said he would defend himself vigorously in the disciplinary hearing, partly because if he were to lose he would also lose his right to be the National Union of Journalists president. He is also president of the Confederation of Asean Journalists. “We will fight to the end," he added.

V. Anbalagan, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, called Utusan's claim that Hata had tarnished the organization's image with his public statements "ludicrous".

"Hata, in his capacity as NUJ president, issued the statements in defense of press freedom and the welfare of members," Anbalagan said in a prepared statement.

Under Malaysia's complicated labor laws, employers must first submit evidence to a disciplinary hearing. Any employee who feels he has been dismissed without cause can take it up with the Director General for Industrial Relations within 60 days, then a reconciliation proceeding must be held to see if a settlement can be arrived at. If not, the labor minister then must decide if the case should be referred to the Industrial Court for adjudication.

Once Malaysia's biggest-selling Malay-language daily, with a circulation of 250,000, Utusan has slumped to 170,000 per day and it is now the No. 6 paper in the country. The continuing loss of circulation, Hata said, stems from the paper's determination to act as a mouthpiece for UMNO and its inflammatory reporting on race and politics.

Certainly, the controversy over Hata hasn't slowed down Utusan's strident racial rhetoric. On Jan. 5, the paper raised the possibility that the state of Selangor, which is controlled by the opposition Democratic Action Party, which is predominantly Chinese, could possibly join Singapore as another "country belonging to China outside mainland China."

According to a translation by the website Malaysian Chronicle, assistant editor in chief Zaini Hassan asked in his column: "Do we Malays [already so few in the world] want to allow another country belonging to China or India outside their own lands? It should be enough with Singapore [a country belonging to China outside mainland China]. Do we also want to give away this homeland?"

In an interview shortly after he was elected NUJ president, Hata told the online publication Malaysiakini that Utusan had lost its way: "People no longer read it, because it is not relevant. If they want to be relevant, they must return to their origins," he said, adding that ultimately the public would give up reading the mainstream papers altogether.

In the interview, he cited what he called Utusan's irresponsible behaviour by daily headlining the news of a Christian preacher who allegedly delivered a speech insulting Islam in a church in Kuching in East Malaysia. Although other papers, including the UMNO-owned Berita Harian also carried the news, it was not given the prominence that the Utusan gave it, he said.

"They focus on stories of Malays disparaging other races, then they run stories of other races making insulting remarks of Malays," he told the website.

Najib is buying time. And now it is time to buy out the maid, make sure she is stuffed with so much money in her mouth, she couldn't say the word rape anymore, for the rest of her life. :)Rape row: Gerakan Youth leader rebukes ShamsulAthi ShankarALOR STAR: A Gerakan Youth leader today rebuked PKR national Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin for criticising Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s call on all to stop passing judgments on the “Rais Yatim” case

Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang said he was upset that Shamsul and the PKR Youth movement could not accept a simple advice from the premier.

He said that in a fair and democratic country, a person shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Hence, he pointed out that one cannot be prejudged and sentenced prematurely until one was found guilty following completion of a proper investigation and a fair trial.

“Although Pakatan Rakyat is all geared up to conquer the country, its mission shall not be accomplished at the expense of the country’s legal system based on fairness and democracy,” Tan said in a statement today.

The embattled Information, Communications and Culture Minister Rais Yatim is embroiled in an alleged rape case that happened in 2007 involving his former Indonesian domestic maid.

The case has burst into the hottest public topic in the country today, prompting Najib to make a public call to all to stop commenting about it until a full probe was completed.

“We cannot prejudge and pronounce something against someone before proper investigation is done. In any case, what happened was in 2007, the question is why (bring it up) now,” he was quoted as saying in press reports.

Double standards

Shamsul has chided Najib’s call as irresponsible and a practice of double standards.

“It shows two sets of law being applied here, one for Umno and another against the opponents of Umno,” Shamsul has reportedly said.

After weeks of speculations on “who’s who” of the case, Rais finally came out in the open this week to vehemently deny he was the alleged minister involved.

Another of his former domestic maid, Sumati, came in support of him to dismiss the rape claims.

A video featuring Sumati dismissing the allegations as untrue has appeared on several pro-Umno blogs since yesterday.

Sumati is said to be a friend of Robengah, the woman at the centre of Internet rumour of the alleged rape case,.

Sumati is said to have worked alongside Robengah at the minister’s home at the material time.

“For as long as I have worked here, I never heard of any rape stories,” she said a five-minute video clip dated Jan 6, 2011.

Sumati, who said she knew Robengah since she started work on Aug 23, 1999, said as room mates, Robengah had never once skipped sleeping in their room, responding to a question whether there had been any night Robengah was absent.

Robengah returned to Indonesia in 2007.

Political factions

Sumati also said that they were happy with the treatment from Masnah, Rais’s wife, during their employment.

“If not, I would not have lasted so long,” she added.

Tan said Shamsul’s criticism against Najib has put the country’s political standards at its lowest ebb.

He accused certain political factions of pressing on false allegations against Barisan Nasional leaders merely to serve their selfish agenda.

He alleged these quarters are prepared to sow seeds of suspicion among Malaysians that all BN leaders were criminals as charged without proper probes and trials.

He expressed disappointment that these quarters were willing to deploy any unethical methods to achieve their political goals.

He said the whole episode had already unfairly tarnished the image of Rais and his family, as well as the country’s international reputation.

“Are these principles of justice and democracy advocated by Pakatan?” asked Tan.

Now how else can we conclude from this strange verdict of the Coroner? Clearly he is under pressure not to take side. So he stood in the middle. So Teoh's death has to be a misadventure, or attacked by vampires or seventh-month ghosts and spirits. Puzzled.Teoh family questions AG’s motiveNantha Kumar and K Pragalath

KUALA LUMPUR: Teoh Beng Hock’s family has questioned Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail’s motive in seeking a revision of the coroner’s findings announced on Wednesday.

“Does he want it to be suicide?” asked Gobind Singh Deo, the family’s lawyer.

“I think the AG should tell us why is he filing a revision. What is he unhappy about?”

Gobind, speaking at a press conference here, said the AG should instead direct investigations into the coroner’s findings.

The inquest revealed weaknesses in police investigations into Teoh’s death, including a failure to find out how he got bruises in his neck.

He also questioned the rationale behind the government’s decision to exclude the cause of death from the terms of reference of the royal commission of inquiry, as announced by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak today.

Najib said the commission would study only the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) procedures to “determine whether there has been a violation of the human rights of Teoh Beng Hock during the investigation”.

Gobind said: “How are you going to ascertain the procedures did not violate Teoh’s human rights when we do not know what actually happened to him?”

He said he was “disturbed and disappointed” at the narrow scope of the inquiry.

“Why hold a royal commission now to look into the investigation procedures by the MACC? That aspect should have been looked into long ago. At the end of the day, everybody wants to know how Teoh died.”

Teoh Lee Lan, Beng Hock’s sister, said the family was still hoping for a royal commission that would investigate her brother’s death.

Responding to Minister in Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Aziz’s call to the family to accept the coroner’s decision, she said: “Would Nazri accept the decision if it was a member of his family who died?”-----------------------------------------------

Just who is politicising Beng Hock's death, MCA?Jackson NgThis was what the Sun reported today in their article 'Don't politicise TBH inquest verdict: MCA':

“The MCA has extended its sympathy and condolences to the family of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, and criticised the Opposition for politicising the inquest decision.

“At a press conference today, MCA president Chua Soi Lek said: 'The unfortunate death of Teoh Beng Hock has been used as a political instrument to discredit the government.

'While we admit it has not been handled very well from the beginning, nor has it inspired confidence in the government, it should not be used as a political weapon. Doing so will only prolong the suffering of his family,' he said.

“He added that the MCA will discuss the matter in its next central committee meeting on how to help move this case forward …”

What a load of bull.

Nineteen months after Teoh's death and the conclusion of a lengthy coroner's inquest, the MCA president Chua Soi Lek says his party central committee will discuss the matter in its next meeting.

That is all our so-called Chinese leader had to say in response to an unacceptable open verdict by the coroner.

The self-confessed adulterer doesn't even have the courage to call for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) into the death of a Pakatan Rakyat DAP aide while under the custody of the Selangor Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).

And he criticises the Pakatan for politicising the inquest decision. Now, who in the first place is politicising the death?

Was it the Pakatan government that took Teoh into custody for questioning as a witness who then failed to emerge alive?

Chua, please, don't play politics when a precious life has been lost.

Irrespective of political affiliation, Teoh died in custody and do you expect Malaysians to believe that no one in MACC knows what happened?

Sounds more like a cover up to protect those responsible for causing Teoh's death, directly or indirectly.

Chua also gave an illogical advice that prolonging the issue would mean prolonging the suffering of Teoh's family.

Please don't insult our intelligence this way. It is the government's lack of will to deliver justice for Teoh's death that is prolonging the issue.

Just find the culprits responsible for Teoh's death and the case will be closed. Period.

Or, are you too scared to push for this for fear of your own personal transgressions?.

I certainly don't place much hope on you and the MCA to take care of the rakyat's interest.